Horticulture work ‘really hard’ at first, but there’s decent money to be made – Rob Stock:
Robert Doig spent three months pruning vines in Canterbury to take a break from his usual job as an auto industry sparkie.
The 31-year-old Cantabrian said he earned decent money in the spell from June to August, got fit, grew some muscles and loved working outdoors.
Now, he’s recommending horticulture work to people who’ve been left jobless as a result of the Covid-19 economic recession.
“It was great fun. The first few weeks were really, really hard, but it was a case of getting used to it, learning your own style,” he said. . .
IrrigationNZ delighted Northland water storage first fast-track approved:
IrrigationNZ is pleased to see that approval of a much needed water storage project in Northland to support horticulture, agriculture and provide drinking water is the first ‘cab off the rank’ under the Government’s Covid-19 Recovery (Fast-Track Consenting) Act.
IrrigationNZ CEO Vanessa Winning commented on the announcement made by Minister Parker today:
“These are exactly the types of projects we are keen to see more of as part of New Zealand’s Covid recovery process, and as a focus for regional investment. . .
Dairy exports dip in September:
The value of dairy product exports in September 2020 fell from the same month in 2019, Stats NZ said today.
The fall was price-led, as the overall quantity of dairy products exported rose over the same period.
“New Zealand exported a greater volume of dairy products in September 2020 than in the same month last year, but received less in return,” senior insights analyst Nicholas Cox said. . .
Agrochemicals air quality study planned for Marlborough – Chloe Ranford:
Are pesticides degrading air quality in rural areas? It’s a question researchers have begun investigating in New Zealand’s largest wine region.
The Marlborough District Council plans to trial a new air monitoring programme to better understand the “localised impacts” of farm chemicals, like spray drifts.
The study is due to begin within a year, and comes 13 years after a consultant hired by the council suggested it begin tracking air pollution near schools and residential areas in Blenheim, concerned that airborne agrochemical impacted human and environmental health. . .
Celebrating 15 Years of NZ Young Viticulturist of the Year competition:
Members of the New Zealand wine industry were delighted to be able to come together in Martinborough early October and celebrate fifteen years of the Young Viticulturist of the Year Competition. The celebration consisted of a conference entitled “Investing in the Future” followed by a dinner at the Town Hall. It was a great chance for the viticultural community to discuss the opportunities and challenges which lie ahead for the industry as well as look back over the last fifteen years.
Since 2006, the NZ Young Viticulturist of the Year initiative has helped support and encourage ambitious young people to become confident, strong leaders in the NZ wine industry. Investing in the future has paid off and there are many inspirational success stories of previous contestants and winners becoming some of the great innovators, pioneers and decision makers of the industry today. . .
Cars can’t compare with cows when it comes to air quality – Steve Dittmer :
Here’s some sound science to clear the air on cattle’s contribution to air quality.
Many first heard of Frank Mitloehner when he exposed and invalidated the UN’s “Livestock Long Shadow” report and forced its withdrawal of wildly exaggerated cattle greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
Mitloehner is in the animal science department and is an air quality specialist at UC-Davis. He is not only eminently qualified to examine the nitty gritty of livestock and their environmental impact, his classes in California give him constant exposure to the thinking of younger generations regarding climate change and cattle.
Mitloehner has been chair of the UN-Food & Agriculture Organization panel to benchmark the environmental impact of livestock production and a similar National Academy of Science, Engineering & Medicine panel. . .
Posted by homepaddock 
Homepaddock 